Manitoba news: Former premier Heather Stefanson leaving politics [Video]

WINNIPEG –

Former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson, the first woman to have held the province’s top office, is resigning her legislature seat, ending a 23-year career in politics.

Stefanson was first elected as a legislature member in November 2000. She became leader of the Progressive Conservatives and Manitoba’s first female premier in 2021.

“Serving as (legislature member), minister and the first woman premier has been the honour of a lifetime,” Stefanson, 53, said in the chamber Thursday.

“These roles allowed me to serve Manitobans and help pave the way for future generations of women in public service.”

Stefanson was chosen by her fellow Tories to replace former premier Brian Pallister. The government was low in opinion polls, partly due to its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not rebound before last October’s election, which saw the NDP sweep to power.

Dealing with the pandemic and its effects on health care, the …